Charley Harrol Stout

Charley was born in Logan, Missouri to parents Alfa & Gladys Stout. Charley was one of 5 boys. Sadly, his twin brother, Harley, died at age 6 months. The whole family worked hard, but jobs were hard to find during the depression. In 1937 & 1938, his family made trips to California in a school bus to find work. Charley picked grapes along with his mother and 3 brothers while his father found work as a mechanic. They returned to live in Missouri for awhile until World War II started. Then the family moved back to California to work. His 2 older brothers were in the service by then. Charley's adventurous spirit led him to join the Merchant Marines at age 16. He travelled around the world, but mostly was working on ships supporting the war effort in the Pacific. He studied engineering and eventually became Chief Engineer & earned his bachelor's degree. One of his assignments was on a ship supporting the secret Hydrogen bomb tests.
At the suggestion of a friend, Charley began to write to a young woman he had seen at home in Missouri. She was working in New York City and going to modeling school. Her name was Bettie Williams and they eventually married in 1951 just after Charley was drafted into the army. Charley was sent to Korea where he fought in a tank battalion on the front lines. Charley & Bettie were apart for over a year. When Charley was discharged from the army, they settled in the San Francisco Bay Area where they raised their two children. Charley worked at the VA Hospital in Livermore, CA as Supervisor of Operations until he retired in 1983. After retirement, Charley worked part-time as a plumbing contractor. Charley & Bettie loved to take road trips. They became avid hikers and travelled around the country visiting many national parks and visiting friends and relatives. They enjoyed bird-watching and being out in nature. They walked in their neighborhood park (Sycamore Grove) several times a week when not travelling.
Charley's faith in God was very strong. He was active in his church - Bethel Baptist - in Fremont for more than 40 years. He demonstrated his values in the way he lived - always doing things for others & never complaining. All his life, Charley always worked hard; as a boy, at his job, for his family, for his church or fixing things for friends and neighbors.
Charley is survived by his wife Bettie, son Mark (Kimberly) Stout, daughter Cheryl (Jim) Owen, brothers Darrell Stout & Billy (Karan) Stout as well as his extended family and friends. We will all miss his wonderful smile.